Shock-absorbing structure for firearms



Dec. 2, 1930. G. R. LEDFORD 1,783,246

SHOCK ABSORBING STRUCTURE FOR FIREARMS Filed May 16, 1929 INVENTORATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNETED STATES PATENT caries GROVER R.LEDFOR-D, OF SAN JOAQUIN, CALIFORNIA SHOCK-ABSORBING STRUCTUREFORFIREARMS Application filed May 16,

that the shock of the recoil will be absorbed within or between theseparts instead of being solidly transmitted to the shoulder of theshooter, as is the case with the ordinary rigid constructed firearms.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensivedevice and yet one which will be exceedingly efiective for the purposefor which it is designed.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my shock absorbing stock and buttconstruction, one of the cover plates being partly broken out.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the structure.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawings, the butt 1 of the firearm is a member separate from the stockand is provided with a longitudinal and relatively large slot 2 whichextends from the front end of the butt toward the back and is open toboth sides of the same. The top and bottom of the slot are lined withsmooth faced metal strips 3, while the sides are covered by removablemetal plates 4, the butt being recessed about the slot as shown at 5 sothat the plates set into the butt flush with the exterior thereof. Thelength of the plates is also such that they project ahead of the frontend of the butt a short distance.

The rear end of the stock 6 of the firearm is provided with arectangular tongue or ex tension which has a close sliding fit in thesocket formed in the butt by the strips 3 and plates 4. This tonguenormally pro ects nearly to the rear end of the socket so that arelatively long and substantial bearing area is obtained between theparts, maintaining them rigid against lateral or vertical distortion.

A fairly stifi compression spring 8 is disposed between the adjacentends of the tongue and socket, being partly countersunk in recesses 9provided in these parts so that a relatively long spring may be had w thonly a 1929. seriaino. 363,549.

comparatively small space between the parts themselves. A pin 10 ispreferably disposed inside the spring so as to prevent the same frompossibly buckling without interfering with the necessary compressiveaction there- The top of the stock is in line with the top of the tonguebut the bottom of the stock alines with the bottom of the butt so that avertical ofiset 6a is formed at the forward end of the tongue, whichoffset is spaced ahead of the adjacent end of the butt the same distanceas the spacing between the rear end of the tongue and socket. Said rearend space is of course enclosed in any event while the front space iscovered by a plate 11 secured to the butt and which overlaps theadjacent end of the stock in close sliding relation therewith. In thismanner the stock may move rearwardly relative to the butt without 7faces. To limit the outward movement of the 8 same and so that thespring is always maintained under a certain compressive strain a bolt 12projects vertically through the butt centrally of the width of andacross the slot 2 and intermediate the ends of the tongue; passingthrough a longitudinally extending vertical slot 13 cut through thetongue. The plates 4 are secured at the back to the butt by verticalspaced screws 14. This cannot well be done at the front end howeversince the material of the stock to the sides of the plates rounds ofisomewhat sharply. A single bolt 15 is therefore used to connect theplates adjacent their front end, said bolt passin through a longitudinaltransversely cut slo 16 provided in the tongue. This slot is ofsuflicient length to enable the necessary longitudinal movement of thetongue to be had without engaging the bolt and placing a mo strain onthe relatively weak rear holding screws of the plates.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I haveproduced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of theinvention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferredconstruction of the device, still in practice such deviations from suchdetail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit ofthe invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a rifle or like firearm, separate stock and butt portions, atongue projecting from the rear end of the stock and sliding ina socketcut in the butt over the full width thereof, a compression springbetween the" rear end of the tongue and the butt, plates covering thesides of the socket and engaging the adj acent surface of the butt,securlng means between the butt and the plates at their rear ends,and abolt between the plates adjacent their forward ends projecting through alongitudinal slot in the tongue and connecting said plates together.

2. In a rifle or like firearm, separate stock and butt portions, atongue projecting from the rear end of the stock and sliding in a socketcut in the butt, the bottom edges of the butt and stock beingsubstantially in longitudinal alinement andthe adjacent edge of thetongue being parallel to but above said edges, a compression springbetween the rear end of the tongue and the butt, and a plate secured tothe bottom of the stock at the front and bridging the gap between thestock and butt and slidably engaging the stock.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GROVER R. LEDFORD.

